Driveway locking - balance of risk?

[ergonomist]

Saw an article yesterday about Tesla being sued - their retracting door handles meant someone died in part because emergency services couldn't open the door following an accident:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d...rida-7nzvh3c6f

I have drive-away door locking set due to the risk of someone trying to grab something from the car when stationary in a queue. Is this now ill-advised? Do the doors automatically unlock following airbag deployment? Reliably?

Incidentally - does this also now suggest that laminated windows are not a good idea (presumably makes it difficult for bystanders to break the glass if you're incapacitated).

Thoughts?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by ergonomist

Saw an article yesterday about Tesla being sued - their retracting door handles meant someone died in part because emergency services couldn't open the door following an accident:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d...rida-7nzvh3c6f

I have drive-away door locking set due to the risk of someone trying to grab something from the car when stationary in a queue. Is this now ill-advised? Do the doors automatically unlock following airbag deployment? Reliably?

Incidentally - does this also now suggest that laminated windows are not a good idea (presumably makes it difficult for bystanders to break the glass if you're incapacitated).

Thoughts?

yes , the doors unlock with SRS activation and the interior lights come on amongst a host of other things ....That has always been the case with volvos .. the emergency services can easily break a normal window to help you in a small accident . Laminated widows will not allow easy access in or out ..... you need to decide if they are what you need or not ..

[ergonomist]

Thanks. Glad to hear about the SRS activation - it's what I'd expect/hope. The article doesn't say whether Tesla have the same approach or what happened specifically. Wonder what RR offer - do their door handles 'pop out' if airbags deploy?

[nu11eaf]

The emergency services will have no problem breaking a laminated window, windscreens are laminated and they regularly have to cut them out, the lamination stops the glas shattering into tiny fragments but is still easily broken through, a hammer will smash through a laminated glass window without much effort. They are shatter proof not unbrakeable.
As mentioned above the doors will unlock in a serious collision.

[ergonomist]

So wonder why the article says that emergency services were unable to open the doors and watched 'helplessly'.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by ergonomist

So wonder why the article says that emergency services were unable to open the doors and watched 'helplessly'.

laminated glass can be tougher than you think , bricks often bounce off it .

[m2srt]

Seems strange! Unless the vehicle has bulletproof glass then it is relatively easy to break a window. Unless this is another blatant attempt to 'go after ' Tesla. A door handle isn't always the issue with serious RTA's as chassis damage could prevent even a unlocked door from opening. How much drag do conventional handles create anyway!

[HDAV]

Ok this happened in the states, filing a law suit especially in certain states is like writing a strongly worded letter here.....

Tesla are a special case as the HV electronics mean emergency crews need to deal with them differently to ICE cars also the battery chemistry means there are issues extinguishing a fire.

As we move to more electric vehicles emergency service responses and training will need to change. I expect emergency battery isolators to become more visible and accessible.

In the event of a tesla they may be instructed they cannot approach the car unless the isolator is activated or fire was under control.


certainly worth adding a life hammer to the car and make sure it is in easy reach.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/fire-safe...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[gaby]

I don't activate drive-away locking and I didn't choose laminated glass.
In case of an accident, I want to be as "accessible" as possible and not just by emergency services.
A hammer is a good idea, but it will only help when driver or passengers are still able to use it.

[ergonomist]

Originally Posted by m2srt

How much drag do conventional handles create anyway!

Agree - can't be a lot. But it seems to be the way that some cars are going (Range Rover for one). And it's such a pain when pulling up at the Savoy when the doorman can't open the door for you...